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Shake the Lake opened in Regina with bigger crowds than organizers had expected, and clear skies set the stage for a strong first night.
“The turnout compared to expectations was greater than we expected,” said Roshelle Montgomery, marketing manager for the Conexus Art Centre.
“Regina people can be a little late to buy and they came out. It looked like a full house last night.”
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Fans packed the lakefront to see Finger 11, Helix and Default. Montgomery said Finger 11’s set stood out, lifting the energy early.
“Everybody was super excited,” she said. “Finger 11 and Helix killed it, and then Default took everything home. People were clapping, cheering, singing; it was awesome.”
#ShakeTheLake in #YQR presented by Brandt
Default & Finger Eleven tonight. pic.twitter.com/kRKDWchO1b
— Jest (@jestdempsey) August 23, 2025
Weather threatened to complicate the evening, but the timing worked out. Crews had faced 38 C heat while setting up and wrestled with wind and rain earlier, but conditions improved as the gates opened.
“Anytime you have an outdoor event in Saskatchewan, weather is a factor,” Montgomery said.
“We were in the sweltering heat during setup, then dealing with rain and wind. But we have an awesome team, and everyone pulled it together.”
The festival is spotlighting Canadian talent this year, from established classics to bands that broke out in the 1990s and 2000s. Montgomery said adding groups like Finger 11, Default and the Headstones was intentional, giving the event a more balanced appeal across generations.
“It’s about a 50-50 split now between the ’70s and ’80s bands and the ’90s and 2000s groups,” she said. “Some of the older bands aren’t touring as much anymore, so it’s time to start bringing in that younger demographic.”
According to Montgomery, crowd response has been positive both on site and online, with social media buzzing after night one. Food trucks and concession stands kept up with demand, and all bands arrived on time despite recent airline disruptions.
The Hall of Fame is at the Conexus Arts Centre for Shake the Lake! Come visit our mobile exhibit trailer while you enjoy the festival tonight and tomorrow. Thanks to the Conexus for having us on site.#shakethelake #seeyqr pic.twitter.com/5zzeKotg34
— SaskSports H of F (@SaskSportsHF) August 22, 2025
Community involvement remains central, with sponsors like Brandt, Tourism Saskatchewan and Tourism Regina, plus local vendors and food trucks.
The festival continues with Trooper, Headstones, Men Without Shame, the Kings and the Stampeders on Saturday. Montgomery said that mix is part of the draw; a weekend where parents, grandparents and kids can all enjoy the same show.
“Watching a live rock concert right in front of the lake; there’s no other experience like it,” she said.
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